Ovarian cancer is a cancer that is quite difficult to detect at an early stage. Often its symptoms remind women of many other diseases. For example, sudden weight loss or frequent bloating can be confused with problems with the thyroid gland, dysbiosis, premenstrual syndrome and other diseases. However, in a conversation with socialbites.ca, an oncologist obstetrician-gynecologist at the SM-Clinic warned that ovarian cancer can also manifest itself with such symptoms. Dmitry Subbotin.
He noted that ovarian cancer skillfully disguises itself as various “harmless” diseases, distracting patients. Therefore, if suspicious symptoms constantly remind you of themselves, you need to understand the root cause and not postpone going to the doctor.
According to the oncologist, the danger of ovarian cancer lies in the fact that patients are not careful about cancer.
The oncologist advised to first pay attention to some signs of the disease.
Pain and a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. Usually this is a weak or nagging pain that comes and goes for a while.
Bloating and gas. This condition, which is characteristic of many diseases, including the familiar dysbiosis, can also be associated with ovarian cancer. At the same time, the patient’s stomach is not only swollen, but also becomes dense, and unpleasant pain appears.
Urinary and intestinal motility disorders (frequent urge to urinate and constipation). These symptoms may be related to tumor growth in the ovaries and compression of neighboring organs (bladder and rectum).
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. This condition usually occurs in the late stages of cancer when metastases have spread throughout the body.
Severe intoxication, frequent attacks of nausea, a rapid onset of satiety with a small amount of food, weakness and exhaustion in the body are accompanying symptoms of possible cancer.
In order not to worry too much about disturbing symptoms, the specialist recommended that women undergo a pelvic examination as often as possible. The most informative in terms of diagnosing ovarian cancer are transvaginal ultrasound (trusound) and a blood test for the tumor marker CA 125.
“The combination of these methods with high probability shows or denies the presence of a tumor in the ovaries. I would like to note that the concentration of the tumor marker CA 125 in the blood in ovarian cancer increases by more than 100 IU/ml. For comparison: in ordinary inflammatory processes in the pelvis or ovarian cysts, the CA 125 level shows only 35 IU/ml or slightly more,” Subbotin said.
The specialist included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and PET/CT as additional options for diagnosing ovarian cancer to clarify the nature of the tumor: benign or malignant.
Formerly a doctor warned about dangerous diseases that cause erection problems.
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Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.